Resource Specialist in San Francisco, California at First Place for Youth

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team.

About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Why Work at First Place For Youth:

Meaningful Impact:  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Resource Specialist is a youth-centered individual who is passionate about supporting transition aged youth currently experiencing homelessness in reaching their education and employment goals. The Resource Specialist provides group-based workshops, drop-in individualized education and employment supports, and develops and maintains critical community resources, partnerships and opportunities to participants. These services are offered at our two onsite Permanent Supportive Housing locations (Mercy Housing and John Burton), our Oakland Headquarter Office for our Scattered Site - Rapid Rehousing/Rising Up Program, as well as in the community. The Resource Specialist will vet and build relationships across multiple Bay Area cities in domains that support TAY to build towards self-sufficiency. This can include but is not limited to public benefits, workforce, career, and community resources. The Resource Specialist must have knowledge in youth centered approaches to support the development of skills in securing and maintaining employment along with a solid understanding of traditional school, post-secondary, vocational and apprenticeship education systems. The Resource Specialist works with TAY Case Managers to understand youth’s needs and goals, to guide in the identification of community resources that support skills development and barrier removal in the areas of self-sufficiency, independent living, health and wellness, relationships, employment and education, and personal advocacy, and housing stability. ability. This position is required to work onsite, and in the community, primarily in San Francisco and Alameda County Monday – Friday.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach and Motivate Youth

Responsible for organizing and delivering skills building workshops related to career, education, and employment related skills such as resume development, interviewing and job maintenanceProvide 1-on-1 drop-in support, assisting youth towards reaching identified education and employment goals

Provide coaching, identify barriers and develop joint-plans to achieve success with youth, Case Manager, and critical supporters identified by youth.

Cultivate and Development of Community Partnerships

Responsible for vetting, establishing and maintaining community partnerships and resources including public benefits agencies, mental health resources, workforce training partners, career opportunities and additional community connectionsPartnership and resource development across bay area counties based on youth needConduct assessments to understand TAY unique needs to develop target resource outreach plansInitiates and maintains ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives to promote programs for participant placement and referralMonitor and track resource referrals and utilizationCommunicates First Place for Youth services and youth needs to increase awareness amongst community partners and potential opportunitiesSupport preparation of clients for utilization of community resource and referrals including pre-requisite requirements, application supports, holding information sessions

Coordinate community events and workshops to assist TAY with independent living skills development and community resource connections

Documentation/Administrative Duties

Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program ManagerEnsure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notesMaintain files for caseload and update paperwork in a timely mannerWork collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective departmentProvide documentation to the One System or Apricot data management systemOther duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, business, education or related field requiredTwo years of full-time social work or casework in family or child welfare services preferred.Two years’ workforce development experience (education systems, workforce development, career coaching) requiredA strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging.Experience with transition aged youth, at risk populations, or individuals with lived experience in homelessness, juvenile justice or foster care system preferred.Must be comfortable working in community settings.Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check.Must have and maintain a car, a valid CA driver’s license, and auto insurance.Proven ability to develop authentic, supportive relationships with youth and young adults.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with database systems is a plus.Strong communication skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner. Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

Benefits:

15 days of vacation time in the first year12 days of sick time2 floating holidays15 paid holidaysEmployee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plansPrincipal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First PlacePaid baby bonding leaveHealthcare and Dependent care FSA plansPrincipal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverageEmployee Assistance Program401(k) retirement savings plan Paid sabbaticalPaid maternity and paternity leave

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.

Bachelor's Degree Pay Range: 30.52 -32.32/Hourly

Master's Degree Pay Range: 33.00 - 35.91/Hourly

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.